Writer in Residence

Love Poems in the Wild

By Manahil Bandukwala

Moments of love from photos in my camera roll from 2020-present. 

1. A heart-shaped piece of limestone from Elora Quarry

A heart-shaped piece of limestone from Elora Quarry

A heart-shaped piece of limestone from Elora Quarry

2. Chalk graffiti reading "Love is the only engine of survival"

Chalk graffiti reading "Love is the only engine of survival"

Chalk graffiti reading "Love is the only engine of survival"

3. Love Song from the Royal Academy's summer exhibition in London, UK

Love Song from the Royal Academy's summer exhibition in London, UK

Love Song from the Royal Academy's summer exhibition in London, UK

4. Painted rock that reads "love" in Mashkinonje Provincial Park

Painted rock that reads "love" in Mashkinonje Provincial Park

Painted rock that reads "love" in Mashkinonje Provincial Park

5. Four hearts on a wall by the steps at Point Grey Road, Vancouver

Four hearts on a wall by the steps at Point Grey Road, Vancouver

Four hearts on a wall by the steps at Point Grey Road, Vancouver

6. Graffiti on a ledge that reads "Otter loves you" along the Gorge Waterway in Saanich, Vancouver Island

Graffiti on a ledge that reads "Otter loves you" along the Gorge Waterway in Saanich, Vancouver Island

Graffiti on a ledge that reads "Otter loves you" along the Gorge Waterway in Saanich, Vancouver Island

7. Heart-shaped pies made with saskatoonberries and cherries picked from neighbours' trees

Heart-shaped pies made with saskatoonberries and cherries picked from neighbours' trees

Heart-shaped pies made with saskatoonberries and cherries picked from neighbours' trees

8. The bathroom wall at Ada's Technical Cafe, Seattle

The bathroom wall at Ada's Technical Cafe, Seattle

The bathroom wall at Ada's Technical Cafe, Seattle

The views expressed in the Writer-in-Residence blogs are those held by the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Open Book.


Manahil Bandukwala is a multidisciplinary artist and writer. She is the author of Women Wide Awake (Mawenzi House, 2023) and Monument (Brick Books, 2022; shortlisted for the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award), and numerous chapbooks. In 2023, she was selected as a Writer's Trust Rising Star. See her work at manahilbandukwala.com.